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I think Larry is not far from the truth, probably this game has reached its peak. But it is not easy that changes come soon, and FIDE-Chess is going to continue dominating the scene for an undetermined amount of time, it is a well stablished game and there are many interests of any kind around it, in fact, the decision of a World Championship in Lybia seems to obbey more to monetary interests than other considerations, this is my particular opinion, and perhaps it does not differ than other many opinions around the world. FIDE is in controversy, the Association of Chess proffesionals is gaining prestige, but the game itself is going quickly to a saturation stage, a player reaches high ELO´s in base to a frightening expertise gained through years of exclusive dedication and the knowledge of the incredible extense theory developed for this game. I think human beings are very close to dominate enterely this game, it is seen in the matches played against strong computer opponents that only use brut force and play the game in a discutible honest manner, because the programs have access to wide databases of openings, ends and games played through all the history, nevertheless the highest ranked players can beat many of these programs many times. It is the need of renovations and variants, but I repeat, it is not easy, new things must fight against very powerful interests.
Regarding Roberto's comment, I think most consider Vladimir Kramnik the 'actual World Champion,' not Ruslan Ponomariov. That is because Kramnik beat Gary Kasparov, 13th champion, in 2000 to become 14th in a succession that goes back clearly to at least 1886 with Wilhelm Steinitz the first. Whereas, Ponomariov is only the most recent winner of FIDE 'lottery' as 128- or 64-elimination tournaments have been called. If Peter Leko defeats Kramnik in Sept./Oct.2004, in match backed by new Association of Chess Professionals, likewise most everyone will regard Leko as 15th World Chess champion. Of course, there is talk of 'unifying' the title, but FIDE has usually sanctioned the (recent) Fischer-Karpov-Kasparov-Kramnik succession.
Could it be that FIDE needs to hold a convention to decide the fate of the 'Mad Queen'? It definitely appears that this particular game has reached its peak. What other variant might be worthy of world recognition? It would definitely have to be much more challenging. Able to resist quantification for at least a century.
FIDE is always in controversy. Are FIDE world champions credible?. The actual World Champion, Russian Ponomariov, is ranked in 10th. place in the list of higher ELO´s and have had not-impressive results after his tittle, and the ex-champion Khalifman is in position 32 in relation to his ELO rating. It is considered by specialists that only Kasparov, Anand and Kramnik have the power for being the real champion of Chess, and perhaps Leko, Michael Adams and two or three more can be in the real list of contendors for a credible tittle. In July it is going to begin the new World Championship Tournament, in Tripoli, Lybia, with an extense list of around a hundred of pre-candidates, that are going to plat knock-out mini-matchs until the list is reduced to a few for quarter of finals matchs. Boris Gelfand (ELO 2714) and other strong israeli players have declined soon to participate, and after that the same did Anand (Oscar 2003 to the best player of the year); In the same way, Kramnik, Leko, Kasparov and some other strong players are not going to be present, so this World Championship Tournament mennaces to be the less representative in the history of Chess!.
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